A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Katoomba vs. Picton for Hiking, Families, Food, and Couples

Should you visit Katoomba or Picton?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Katoomba and Picton. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Katoomba

Katoomba is a serene, natural, and relaxing town. This is a great small town that is just waiting to be explored. You'll find world class beauty in Katoomba as well. Other popular activities here include food, hiking, and shopping. See Katoomba travel costs.

Picton

Picton is a scenic, quaint, and relaxing town. It's a very nice small town not to be missed. It's also known for beaches, hiking, and shopping. See Picton travel costs.

Katoomba and Picton: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Katoomba or Picton?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Picton than Katoomba, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Picton is better known for its food and beaches, while Katoomba is more popular for its nightlife, hiking, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Katoomba is well known for its natural scenery, beautiful hikes, and its location in the Blue Mountains. Picton is well known for its picturesque scenery, laid back setting, and beautiful walking trails. Also, Picton is famous for the Queen Charlotte Track.

How is Katoomba different from Picton?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Picton and Katoomba. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Katoomba or Picton?

Both Katoomba and Picton have notable landmarks and museums for visitors.

Katoomba is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. For many, the town is used as a base for exploring the Blue Mountains. Scenic World is a great way to take in the highlights. It's also fun to check out the local street art.

Picton offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. There are a few local museums around town that are fun to visit with the weather isn't cooperating. Edwin Fox Ship is the world's oldest merchant ship. You can also learn about the town's whaling past at the Picton Heritage and Whaling Museum.

Is the Food Better in Katoomba or Picton? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Picton is a well-known place for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Katoomba is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its restaurants.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Picton makes for a great culinary experience. The town is filled with restaurants that stay true to New Zealand's culinary traditions. Mussels and salmon are common on menus, and there are many bakeries and waterfront cafes to try.

Katoomba has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. Many of the restaurants work hard to support local farmers and suppliers. You'll find local ingredients and homemade meals. The restaurant scene is growing, but many restaurants are still affiliated with hotels and tourist attractions.

Is Katoomba or Picton Better for Nightlife?

Katoomba is a good destination for its evening party scene. However, Picton is not a good town for nightlife.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Katoomba. It's not known for its nightlife scene, but there are some relaxed places where you can enjoy craft beer or see a show. Katoomba is the hub of nightlife in the Blue Mountains.

Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Picton. It's a small town with a quiet and calm atmosphere.

Is Katoomba or Picton Better for Beaches?

Picton is a well-known place for its beaches. However, Katoomba is not a beach destination.

Many people visit Picton for it's beautiful beaches. There are four beaches in the area. Picton Beach is by the town center and near many restaurants and cafes. About a ten minute walk from town is Shelley Beach and if you're up for more walking, Bob's Bay is secluded and nice. If you have a car you can make it to Governer's Bay.

Katoomba is not a beach destination.

Is Katoomba or Picton Better for Hiking?

Katoomba is very popular for the nearby hiking options. Also, Picton is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its hiking trails.

Katoomba is well-known for its hiking and trekking. Surrounded by the Blue Mountains, this town offers access to some of the area's best hikes. You'll see waterfalls, scenic viewpoints, and lush landscapes.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Picton. There are many nice walking paths in the area and this is a great way to explore, reach beaches, and see the surrounding landscapes. If you're up for a longer trip, Queen Charlotte Track is a popular trail.

Is the Shopping Better in Katoomba or Picton?

Both Katoomba and Picton are notable shopping destinations.

Katoomba is a great destination for shopping. There are local markets and boutiques where you can pick up local items and handicrafts.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Picton. There are a few galleries and local shops around town.

Is Katoomba or Picton More Beautiful?

Katoomba is very popular for its scenery and beauty. However, Picton is not a destination known for its beauty.

You'll find world class beauty in Katoomba as well. It's a town surrounded by natural beauty. It offers easy access to breathtaking views and impressive hikes through the Blue Mountains.

Picton is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Katoomba or Picton Better for Families?

Katoomba is very popular for its family-friendly activities. Also, Picton is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

With a huge array of activities for kids, Katoomba is very family-friendly. The surrounding Blue Mountains are filled with activities for the whole family. Scenic World is a highlight with its cable cars and skyway. There are also gardens, hiking trails, and cultural centers. Kids who love trains will enjoy Valley Heights Locomotive Depot Heritage Museum.

Picton is a very family-friendly destination. Kids will enjoy taking a boat cruise to Motuara Island. You can see dolphins, birds, and other wildlife. There are also wildlife centers in the area, family-friendly walking trails, museums, aquariums, and kayaking opportunities.

Is Katoomba or Picton Better for Couples?

Katoomba and Picton both excellent destinations for a couple.

Katoomba is a very popular place to visit for couples. There are world class gardens like the Everglades Gardens, restaurants where you can enjoy high tea with a view, as well as hikes that will take your breath away. For the truly adventurous, there are also helicopter tours.

Picton makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. There are romantic and quaint bed and breakfasts, beautiful walking paths, wildlife encounters, and many more fun activities for couples. Kayak trips, vineyard tours, and local spas make this a great couple's getaway destination.

Is Katoomba or Picton Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Katoomba and Picton are excellent destinations for backpackers.

Backpackers come from all over to visit Katoomba. There are hostels in the area, as well as camping opportunities. Backpackers will appreciate the scenic beauty and natural setting.

Many backpackers visit Picton. There are plenty of hostels in the area as well as great transportation links, making this a great spot for backpackers.

Is Katoomba or Picton Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Both Katoomba and Picton offer notable public transit options.

Katoomba has a few public transit options. There are public buses through the Blue Mountains but it's easier to explore in depth if you have your own car.

Picton has some public transit options. There are water taxis but no buses around town.

Is Katoomba or Picton a more walkable city?

Picton is a well-known place for its walkability. Also, Katoomba is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its high level of walkability.

Picton is very walkable. It's a quaint and compact town that's easy to explore on foot.

Katoomba is a somewhat walkable place. The town itself is relatively walkable.

For even more information, also check out Is Katoomba Worth Visiting? and Is Picton Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Picton or Katoomba?

How long in Katoomba or Picton?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Katoomba or Picton to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Katoomba than Picton because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Katoomba, and 1-2 days is enough time in Picton.

Families should spend more time in Katoomba than Picton. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Katoomba, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Picton than Katoomba. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Picton that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Picton than Katoomba if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Picton.

One day in Katoomba or Picton?

Katoomba might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. Hikers are also drawn to this area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

The town of Picton offers food and shopping. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Katoomba or Picton?

Katoomba is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the hiking, as that's what most people do. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Picton is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this town makes for a great vacation. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Picton, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Katoomba or Picton?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Katoomba. Don't miss the hiking, as that's what most people do. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Picton is a popular choice for travelers. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Katoomba or Picton?

Katoomba is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Picton is a great place to explore. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This town offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Australia, The Best Scuba Diving Tours in Australia, The Best Adventure Tours to New Zealand, and The Best Eco Tours in New Zealand.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Katoomba and Picton, we can see that Katoomba is more expensive. And not only is Picton much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Picton would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Picton and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Katoomba would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Katoomba than you might in Picton.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Katoomba Expensive? and Is Picton Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Katoomba or Picton?

Katoomba has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Picton. When comparing the sizes of Katoomba and Picton, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Katoomba or Picton?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the southern hemisphere, summer is in January and winter is in July.

Should I visit Katoomba or Picton in the Summer?

Both Picton and Katoomba are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Katoomba because of the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Picton this time of year.

In January, Katoomba is generally a little warmer than Picton. Daily temperatures in Katoomba average around 24°C (74°F), and Picton fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

It's quite rainy in Katoomba. In January, Katoomba usually receives more rain than Picton. Katoomba gets 105 mm (4.1 in) of rain, while Picton receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Katoomba or Picton in the Autumn?

Both Picton and Katoomba during the autumn are popular places to visit. The hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Katoomba this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Picton for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the small town atmosphere.

Katoomba is a little warmer than Picton in the autumn. The daily temperature in Katoomba averages around 18°C (65°F) in April, and Picton fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).

Katoomba usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Picton. Katoomba gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Picton receives 82 mm (3.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Katoomba or Picton in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Katoomba and Picton. Many travelers come to Katoomba for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Picton in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In the winter, Katoomba is around the same temperature as Picton. Typically, the winter temperatures in Katoomba in July average around 11°C (51°F), and Picton averages at about 10°C (49°F).

Picton receives a lot of rain in the winter. In July, Katoomba usually receives less rain than Picton. Katoomba gets 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Picton receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Katoomba or Picton in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Katoomba as well as Picton. Many visitors come to Katoomba in the spring for the small town charm and the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to Picton for the beaches and the small town charm during these months.

In October, Katoomba is generally a little warmer than Picton. Daily temperatures in Katoomba average around 18°C (64°F), and Picton fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

Katoomba usually gets less rain in October than Picton. Katoomba gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Picton receives 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Picton and Katoomba